About

THE GOLDEN HERITAGE

FIND TIMELESS ELEGANCE AT NUVOLE GARDEN,
WHERE THE MOVIE GLAMOR OF THE 1950s MEETS
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN OVERLOOKING IDYLLIC LAKE COMO

GLORIOUS PAST,
SUNNY FUTURE

REVIVING A LEGEND, DESIGNER ZOLTAN
VARRO HAS NOW CREATED A CONTEMPORARY
MASTERPIECE FROM A HERITAGE MONUMENT

In 1910-1911, Italian architect Achille Manfredini created his original Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Grand Hotel Milano, a glamorous destination for Hollywood stars and renowned directors in the 1950s. This unique location and the architectural legacy of Europe’s golden age inspired the fertile imagination of one of the most sensational contemporary designers, Zoltan Varro, renowned for his bold hotel interiors. Varro transformed a classic Milanese residence into an exclusive dream palace, featuring 80 hotel rooms and suites, a wellness center and three restaurants (including one offering gourmet cuisine), a cocktail bar, and a wine cellar. Every detail and element is his creation, inspired by the majestic peaks and sparkling waters that can be admired all around. Show more

THE FOLLOW-UP OF OVER A CENTURY OF HISTORY

1884 - FIRST GUESTS

THE SPAINI CHALET: TESTIMONY OF THE BELLE ÉPOQUE IN BRUNATE

The term, meaning "The Beautiful Era," was coined retrospectively, evoking a golden age of relative peace before the devastations of World War I. Technological progress included inventions such as electricity, the telephone, the automobile, and the airplane, which transformed daily life. World Expositions, such as the Paris Exposition featuring the Eiffel Tower, celebrated industrial progress. Chalet Spaini is one of the most fascinating testimonies to the Belle Époque in Italy, a period of tourism and economic development that shaped the town of Brunate, perched in a panoramic position overlooking Lake Como. Show more

HEAVEN MEETS EARTH

ELEGANCE AND EXCELLENT VIEWS

The Grand Hotel Brunate and the Spaini Restaurant, both managed by Mr. Carlo Spaini, are located just steps away from the funicular, offering a prime location and breathtaking views. The restaurant, an elegant circular hall with tall floor-to-ceiling windows, allows guests to admire a vast horizon, surrounded by plane trees and enclosed by a refined wrought-iron railing. It is perfect for those visiting Brunate for a short break, offering snacks or full meals in a unique atmosphere, bathed in light and framed by alpine landscapes. Carlo Spaini, a pioneering promoter of Brunate’s climatic and tourist potential, made this town welcoming and renowned through his vision and hospitality, attracting families and groups who, from the restaurant, bid farewell to the majestic arc of alpine glaciers and the Po Valley below. Show more

SYMBOL OF MODERNITY

ON THE POSTERS: FUNICULAR FROM COMO EVERY 20 MINUTES BETWEEN MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND NIGHTS IN THE LUX

In 1911, the funicular had become a symbol of modernity and technological progress. It represented the perfect blend of innovation and respect for the natural beauty of the landscape. Guests could ascend the hillside from the shores of Lake Como to dine at the restaurant, play at the casino, enjoy a musical performance, or spend the night in luxury. In 1910-1911, Italian architect Achille Manfredini created his original Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Grand Hotel Milano, on the site of the Chalet Spaini. At its peak, the hotel hosted illustrious guests, including figures from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and culture. The hotel offered luxurious rooms, elegantly decorated halls, and an exclusive atmosphere that attracted the jet set of the era.
The establishment was not only an architectural marvel but also became a hub for social and cultural events. In the years that followed, the funicular continued to be upgraded and improved to meet the needs of an ever-growing audience. Its presence remains a distinctive feature of Como and Brunate, a symbol of a tradition that bridges past and present. Show more

A GLAMOROUS DESTINATION

BETWEEN THE TWO WARS THE HOTEL AS A PRESTIGIOUS COURTYARD, MEETING PLACE FOR THE ARISTOCRACY AND THE FILM INDUSTRY

The legendary Venetian hotelier Luigi Nardi ran this glamorous destination between the two wars. These were the last vestiges of the Grand Tour, when the aristocracy and the new rich mixed in the prestigious courtyards of Europe along with the wealthy Milanese fleeing from the summer heat of the city. New Year’s Eve was legendary. The Hotel Milano, located in a privileged position in Como or its surroundings, played a significant role between the two wars (1919-1939) as a nerve center for cinema and culture. During this period, it became a prestigious location for film sets and a meeting place for actors, directors and other figures in the entertainment world. After the war, the film industry rose to the Grand Hotel Milano. Anna Magnani, Gregory Peck and Vittorio De Sica gathered at this luxury resort, admiring the views and sipping Campari. Italian and international actors and directors regularly visited the hotel, making it a lively centre for cultural and professional exchanges. Show more

DECLINE

AFTER THE TWO WARS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGES LED TO A CHANGE AND SLOW DECLINE OF THE HOTEL, DEFINITIVE IN 1999

After the Second World War, the Hotel Milano gradually lost its charm as a destination for social and film events, evolving into a place of tranquility, away from the city bustle. It was then, in 1982 that the Indian guru of the fame of the Beatles, Maharishi Mahesh yogi, showed up at the door to buy the hotel. The hotel had taken on the character of a spiritual retreat. However, this phase did not last long, and by 1999 the building was abandoned. In the following years, the Grand Hotel fell into a state of degradation, marked by infiltrations, damage and even a fire in 2012, which destroyed part of the internal structures. As time went by, the Hotel Milano was forgotten, leaving space for fragmented memories and stories linked to its glorious past. Show more

Today, symbol of rebirth

In 2017, Italiana Hotels & Resort launched an ambitious restoration project to restore the Grand Hotel to its former glory

The renovation work focused on respecting the original Art Nouveau architecture, including reconstructing the façades, restoring the decorative elements and modernising the interiors to create a luxury hotel. The project envisages a five-star hotel, with about 80 rooms, restaurants, a spa and conference rooms, to turn the building into a landmark of luxury tourism. The Grand Hotel Milano today represents a story of rebirth: from a symbol of a lost season of splendour, it is preparing to become a protagonist again on the Italian tourism scene. With its privileged location and unique history, the Grand Hotel is destined to once again become an icon of Lake Como and elite tourism, thanks to the resourcefulness of engineer Emilio Polillo in collaboration with the meticulous and surprising designer Zoltan Varro. Thus was born the Nuvole Garden Hotel. Show more

Services

Rooms

Sunshine brightens all 80 rooms at the year-round Nuvole Garden Hotel, inspiring their theme and unique design.

Gastronomy

Indulge in fine cuisine and exquisite drinks at the Nuvole Garden Hotel, from breakfast at Blu to dining at Sole and cocktails at Negroni.

The Spa

Treat yourself and your body to luxury indulgence at the Spa, a magical oasis of tranquil healing open all year round.

Events

Celebrate your most precious moments with the ones you love at this dream destination close to the stars, overlooking Lake Como.

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